Heather was appointed Open Heart Kitchen’s Executive Director in January, 2017. Prior to this role, she served as the Executive Director of Monterey Zoological Society, and co-founded Elephants of Africa Rescue Society where she also served as CFO. She brings over 18 years of experience in Nonprofit Management and utilizes her experience to drive organizational growth without compromising program quality.
Shawnda joined Open Heart Kitchen in November of 2010. Shawnda has a passion for helping people find their “fit” in the Open Heart Kitchen family.
Denise oversees fundraising and donor relations for Open Heart Kitchen. Denise has experience in fundraising, marketing and event planning for various nonprofits including The Health Trust, Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund and Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Most recently, she was the development officer at the Bankhead Theater where she was responsible for sponsorships, grants, and major gifts. She currently volunteers for Mighty4 Arts Foundation and serves on the board of Tri-Valley Haven.
When did you join the OHK team? : I joined the team in January 2022.
What is your favorite meal? : Broiled Miso Salmon and Garlic Fries
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : Banana Bread and Mac & Cheese
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Without a doubt, I have to choose all three
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : Golf, mountain biking trails, and the great weather & environment
When did you join the OHK team? : I have volunteered for OHK since 2015, and I joined the team in 2017.
What is your favorite meal? : Escalope de veau Montagnarde
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : I love to bake breads
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : All 3 together!
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : The hiking trails and vineyards.
What is your favorite OHK meal? : Definitely our stuffed bell peppers.
Christi has been with Open Heart Kitchen since 2015. Christi worked in customer support before becoming a stay at home mom to her 3 children. Through her position at Open Heart Kitchen she encourages her own children to volunteer in the kitchens and learn the importance of giving back to the community. When she's not giving back to the community she can be found gardening, or in her kitchen baking up a delicious new confection!
When did you join the OHK team? : My first day was Wednesday, July 7th, 2021.
What is your favorite meal? : Rice and black beans with plantains cooked by my mom.
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : I love cooking breakfast, especially poached eggs over bread and cheese.
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Salty and Sweet together!
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : I love the weather and being close to water.
When did you join the OHK team? : June 2022
What is your favorite meal? : Anything that can be shared and enjoyed with family and/or friends!
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : I'm the least likely to follow a recipe and usually take a hodgepodge cooking method based on the random ingredients I find in my fridge/pantry. One of the few food items I am willing to buy all the special ingredients for is my Grandma's Pie Crust Cinnamon Rolls. But, it's gotta be a special occasion to justify that high level use of butter and Crisco!
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : D) All the above
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : The access to local parks and the fact that you can't drive far without running into some sort of green or natural space.
Chef Jorge joined our team in 2020, bringing his 20 years of experience in commercial kitchens. Chef Jorge's passion for cooking was inspired by helping his mom in the kitchen when he was growing up. He loves to prepare meals for people to enjoy, and he definitely gets to do that as he helps lead the OHK team in the production of more than 800 meals daily! When Jorge's not making delicious meals for our neighbors in need, he enjoys basketball and mountain biking.
When did you join the OHK team? : Aiswarya joined our team in December, 2021, after starting as a volunteer
What is your favorite meal? : As apart of my culture, eating Biryani (Indian food) is a meal I absolutely enjoy. With several different spices to indulge myself in.
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : I’ve recently started baking as a hobby, and making cakes in my free time for my family and friends.
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : The tri-valley area is such an amazing and beautiful place to be in. With camping, several hiking trails, and excellent weather. I love being in this environment filled with beautiful views and people.
Rosalba joined our kitchen in 2020.
Before joining the OHK team, Todd was a stay at home dad and worked with middle school-aged kids at Crosswinds Church in Livermore. He has been married for 25 years to his wife Synthia, with whom he has a daughter, 2 dogs and a rescue cat.
Tanaka joined our kitchen in 2020.
When did you join the OHK team? : I joined OHK in 2000 as a volunteer, and became one of the first (of only three) staff members in 2001. I became a Site Supervisor, and joined the OHK Board of Directors in 2005 while continuing site-supervising. I started working on the Street Outreach Team due to COVID-19 in March 2020.
What is your favorite meal? : Grilled salmon
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : Portuguese Sweet Bread
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : I’m a sweet / salty fan!
What is your favorite OHK meal? : Clients tell me their favorites are: spaghetti, barbecue chicken, lasagna and chile beans.
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : The country atmosphere, family-friendly feel, scenic rolling hills & vineyards.
Sharon has been with Open Heart Kitchen since 2014 and oversees services at our Livermore Community Center and Ridgeview Commons locations.
Evelyn moved to California from Chicago in 2005, and joined the Open Heart Kitchen family that same year. The things that Evelyn enjoys most about working for Open Heart Kitchen is the sense of fullfillment and purpose that it gives her, as well as working with Open Heart's volunteers and staff.
When did you join the OHK team? : August 2021
What is your favorite meal? : Sopes
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : Breakfast (Omelets, Pancakes, Waffles, etc)
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Sweet for sure!
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : Proximity to all of Bay Area and weather
When did you join the OHK team? : I joined the OHK team April 2021
What is your favorite meal? : My favorite meal is any kind of Mexican food
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : I like to cook Pozole
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Salty, Spicy, and Sweet
Jody has been a long time volunteer, and joined our team at the Dublin Senior Center in 2020.
Linda joined Open Heart Kitchen as a Site Supervisor in July, 2017. Volunteering at the Pleasanton Senior Center and working with her fellow volunteers sparked her interest in joining our team. Prior to coming to OHK, Linda worked in tech in Silicon Valley, but realized her real passion was working with food and interacting with people. Linda makes every diner that walks into our dining room feel special, and she has a gift for telling our diners' whole stories in a way that is both empowering and uplifting.
Smruti joined the OHK team in 2020. She has a educational background in nutrition and dietetics. She enjoys cooking, traveling and quilting. She feels happy to give her time and use her education to serve the community.
When did you join the OHK team? : September, 2021.
What is your favorite meal? : BBQ Chicken
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : Cheesecake
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Salty & Sweet (dark chocolate sea salt caramels!)
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : I love the weather, hiking trails, downtown atmosphere, close community
Martin joined our grocery distribution team in 2020, and joined our production kitchen team in 2021.
Cameron joined our grocery distribution team in 2020
Steve is a proud Dublin resident who spent nearly 30 years of commuting into Silicon Valley where he worked for the San Jose Mercury News as a reporter, deputy managing editor and editorial page editor. Instead of retirement, Steve yearned for “refirement": something less career-driven and more service oriented. This passion lead him to Open Heart Kitchen.